Apr 29, 2015

I've teamed up with Blue Brush Hair Studio to offer you lucky readers 20% off on color treatments for the month of May. Book your appointment at either of the two branches, print out this voucher and present it to receive your 20% discount.

Apr 13, 2015

I have been suffering from hair loss for over a year now, due to a combination of factors - low iron and Vitamin D levels, weight loss, side effects from medication and also bleaching my hair. All of this has taken its toll on my hair and I have become very self-conscious of the bald spots on my crown. Finding a hair stylist who knows what they are doing is difficult in Qatar, but two friends of mine who also had thinning hair recommended Blue Brush Hair Studio at the Hilton Doha. At the helm of the hair studio is Parisian hair stylist David Martinez who has worked in Paris Fashion Week and on shoots for famous fashion publications like Harper's Bazaar and Vanity Fair.

I had recently had my hair cut into a curly asymmetrical bob and unfortunately the hairdresser did not manage to create what I had envisioned - something similar to one of Rihanna's haircuts a while ago. I went to David and he worked his magic, and my hair looked exactly how I imagined. He created layers and shape so that my hair now looks fuller.

David has a special technique that other hair stylists in Doha do not use: he gives you a dry cut. This is what he told me about dry cuts: "Hair is elastic, if you wet it and pull it, hair is going to stretch, so when it gets dry again it is going to get its natural movement and you will very often get bad surprises with a wet cut. Cutting on dry hair is working with the real length, the natural movement and the specific texture of the hair, no more bad surprises. You can style your haircut without my help at home! Hair will grow with its natural shape; you can enjoy your cut for longer than a classical wet haircut. Self-styling becomes easier; you basically don't even need it because I will work according to the logical nature and specificity of your hair. It has more freedom, safety and style."

So ladies, if you are looking for a hair stylist who knows what he is doing go to Blue Brush Hair Studio. A second branch recently opened in Al Fardan Residential Tower next to City Centre. You can literally take a photo of any hair style and he will recreate it on your hair - providing that he thinks it will suit your hair, as he is always honest about what will or will not suit you.

You can contact Blue Brush Hair Studio by calling 00974 4423 3022. Also check out their instagram page @bluebrushdoha to check out customers' before and after pics.

Apr 7, 2015

After meeting Christian Siriano, a week later I got another fabulous opportunity of meeting and interviewing Edoardo Caovilla before his meet and greet event in the Rene Caovilla flagship store in The Pearl Qatar.

Rene Caovilla is without a doubt one of the biggest luxury shoe brands in the world and the only real Venetian luxury shoe brand. We talked a lot about his day-to-day life as the creative director of his grandfather's brand, as well as how important his customers are to him when he designs his shoe collections. We also spoke about the Spring/Summer 2015 collection. The latest collection features Oxford shoes and flats, which are studded with Swarovski crystals. Edoardo explained that he recognized that the modern-day woman needs practical but feminine and stylish shoes while she is out and about in the morning at work or running errands. The rest of the collection features kitten heels, sling-backs and stilettos with polka dot prints, stripes and combinations of different textures and clashing prints.

I asked him why all his shoes have silver glittery soles and his reply was "so women can feel like they are walking on the stars." Designing genius and a charmer!

Apr 5, 2015

I had the very lucky opportunity of meeting and interviewing American designer Christian Siriano at The Closet's new brand launch last Sunday.The Closet, located in Parcel 5 in Porto Arabia, The Pearl Qatar, is a luxury multi-brand boutique that carries the finest in fashion brand names and designers such as Marchesa, Naeem Khan, Marios Schwab and Christian Siriano.Christian Siriano was there to also launch The Closet's new brand identity, with the inspiration coming from the fairytale of "The Girl and the Moon," a fantastical story of darkness and mystery. The Closet's new brand identity is one where high fashion and mystical stories meet. The boutique was transformed into a dark, starlit tunnel with an acrobat hanging and twirling off a majestic metal moon, and outdoors on the terrace we were treated to a musical performance by a violinist and cellist. Christian spent some time meeting and greeting the visitors, who were made up of Qatar's socialites, fashion pack and press members, before he got on stage for a countdown to the launch of The Closet's revamped website. Also on stage came a model who brought the story of The Girl and the Moon to life, wearing a unique light blue taffeta gown designed by Siriano himself.For the two days following the event, Siriano attended a trunk show for his fabulous Congo-themed Fall/Winter 2015 collection that is now available at the boutique. The magnificent The Girl and the Moon gown was also showcased in the boutique for those two days.

For more information about The Closet and the brands they carry visit their website or email them at info@theclosetqatar.com. You can also contact them directly at 00974 33310110.

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About Yousra Samir

Yousra Samir is a British expat and avid writer who has been living in Qatar since 2003. Her main interests are in beauty, fashion and fitness.
To contact Yousra you can email her at underyourabaya@gmail.com.